A Long Road Ch 2

A Naruto fan fiction

I do not own Naruto

Ch2 The Demon

Walking along the streets of Konoha Naruto was a little disappointed. He wasn't sure what to expect when he returned to his home, all he could say about this place was that it had changed. He supposed that it was brighter in his memories than it actually was in real life. It had been so long that he nearly forgot what it looked like; all he could remember was the happy feeling he had associated with it. Not to say that all his memories of this place were happy ones. There had been some truly terrible nights that he wished he could forget.

Distracted in his thoughts Naruto had neglected to look where he was going. "Hey! Watch were your going!" she yelled at him "Sorry about that." Naruto insisted but it didn't seem to calm her. "Look what you did! I just bought that!" Realizing that he had nocked fresh dango out of her hand. "Are you going to pay for that!" She was looking like she would be happy to beat the money out of him. Fearing the worst he quickly pulled out his wallet and held out enough for two servings. "I'm truly sorry about that. Here you are." "Damn right your sorry." She said grabbing the money away from him.

"Anko are you harassing civilians again?" Kurenai said as she stepped out of the shop. "This asshole knocked my food on the ground." Anko proclaimed still pissed. "I said I was sorry." Naruto defended becoming a little ticked at her attitude. Kurenai interrupted hoping to cool Anko "Ho Naruto! I barley recognized you. Welcome back. When did you return from your trip?" "Just earlier today in fact. I was just heading to my apartment." "Well I wont keep you from settling in after all this time away. But if you feel like caching up with team 8 we are having a drink at Red Door at around 9. It's a new place just down from Ichiraku." Kurenai offered. "Thanks but ill-" "WAIT one fucking second! I'm still not done with this little shit!" Anko blared with a fury's tone.

Kurenai was persistent in trying to make Anko calm but she would have none of it, and somewhere in the disturbance they started to argue with each other. Anko gave Naruto a look that would have made most grown men scared. In the end Naruto managed to slip away without Anko noticing. He had never met someone that was so passionate about dango. Maybe he could understand if it had been ramen, but dango?

When he got to his apartment he almost passed out on the nearest chair despite it being early in the afternoon. He hadn't slept the night before and walked throughout the early hours because of the excitement that had overwhelmed him for the day that had passed. However now all he felt was tired. He managed to make it to his room and barley managed to strip off his armor. He fell back on his bed and stared up at the roof, even thou his head was almost at the backboard his feet hung off the end. He would need to buy a new bed. Naruto was tired beyond belief but he still could not find sleep. He felt bittersweet about the day. Returning home, Tsunade crying and returning without Jiraiya. His head fell to his side where he stared at the photo of his old team. He smiled as he fell asleep.

…

Naruto woke surprisingly refreshed witch was unusual because according to the clock it had only been about an hour after he fell asleep. Realizing that the battery's had been dead for a number years he looked outside. It was dark, possibly around 9 or 10. He sighed and rubbed his eyes as he walked to the kitchen. Looking around, his apartment seemed to be in a state of disrepair. Had it always been this way? Thinking back he had never noticed. He would need to deal with that later, his stomach growled and he decided it had been far to long since he had visited his favorite place to eat.

As he approached Ichiraku he noticed that it had grown in size the five years that he was away. He took a seat beside one of the other patrons and called "One miso pork please!" Ayame came from the back and was instantly shocked to see Naruto sitting at the counter. "NARUTO! I'm so glad to see that your back!" she said leaning over to give him a hug. He had always seen her as an older sister and she saw him as a younger brother. "Nice scar by the way, how did you get it? Ho and why were you gone so long? I bet you have a tone of stories to tell. Wait here for a second ill go tell my dad your back. FATHER!" Ayame yelled as she went into the back of the shop. Naruto sat there for a few seconds mouth slightly agape. She had been so excited she hadn't let him get a word in. All the same he smiled at the fact she was happy to see him, Ayame had been one of his only true friends when he was younger.

Teuchi walked out followed by his daughter and greeted him with a warm smile. "Naruto it's been ages! How was your training trip with Jiraiya?" "It had its ups and downs." Naruto said obviously avoiding the question. "Well you'll need to tell us about it some time, but for now what can I get for you? On the house!" The old man offered. "One Miso Pork thanks." "Coming right up!"

"Ahhh." Naruto sighed with a full stomach. Chances were that he wouldn't get to sleep tonight without some exercise, due to his early rest. Just then he noticed a bright neon sign that said "The Red Door" remembering the invite that Kurenai had offered he decided that it couldn't hurt to catch up with some old friends.

As Naruto approached the bar he noticed that true to its name the place had a big red door. He assumed that this was one of those hip new places that everyone hung out at. Naruto made his way inside and despite his initial impression of the place it seemed pretty dead. It looked like ninja mostly occupied the tables, witch may have explained why there were no civilians. He managed to spy team 8 sitting near the back of the place, they were accompanied by Choji and Ino.

As Naruto approached the table Ino was the first to notice. "Hey Naruto's here!" everyone turned to greet him. "Hey Naruto how's life?!" Choji yelled, and Naruto could tell he was already drunk. Everyone seemed to greet him the same way, except for Hinata who just blushed. "Perfect timing we just got here a few minutes ago." Ino said. "Looking at Choji I wouldn't have guessed it." Naruto said jokingly. All seemed to find it funny except Choji "Hey! They serve some strong stuff here y'know." Kurenai poured everyone a saucer of sake including Naruto. They all yelled "Banzai!" as they took the shot. Hinata and Kiba both gaged at the potent blend. Ino giggled at this "You guys want something less strong? I'm sure they have something around 5 proof in the back." (2.5 Alcohol) "I can handle it! The Inuzuka are the best drinkers in the village!" Kiba said proudly. Ino rolled her eyes, "Do you always need to make everything into a competition?" they all poured another shot except for Naruto, preferring to take out his own flask to pour. "Cant handle it Naruto? I could tell that you aren't a big drinker!" Kiba said challenging him "Actually I find that it's not strong enough." "Bullshit! If you can handle it then just say so!" Naruto grinned to himself and poured Kiba a saucer. Without hesitation he downed it, although it didn't want to stay down. He imminently spat it out in a not so fine mist, and coughed violently. "HOLY CHRIST!" he managed to get out. Kurenai turned to Naruto "How strong is that stuff?" as soon as he had stopped laughing Naruto said "Lets just say its an alcoholic's wet dream."

"Man youu musst have one helll of a tolerance." Choji said in a slurred tone. "Well I don't want to brag but I think I could give Tsunade a run for her money." "Care to test that?" Naruto turned to see that Tsunade herself walking over to the table. Fearing he would regret saying something different he quickly replied "No mam!" Even Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle at that.

…

They had continued well into the morning and everyone had a blast, but Naruto had decided it was time to leave. Before he could say something Hinata got up and said her goodbyes. She didn't look like she would make it the entire way to her home. She only got a few steps before she tripped over her own feet. Naruto was quick despite having a few to many himself and caught her before she had fallen to far. "Watch your step." I-I'm sorry about that Naruto!" She said with a deep red blush. "No problem, just let me walk you home." Hinata looked at him in the eyes for a moment and he looked back. They stared at each other for more then a few seconds both a little shocked. He hadn't meant for it to sound like that. "S-s-s-sure." she looked down at the floor with a deeper blush on her face than before.

The walk to the Hyuga compound was a silent one. Hinata kept her arm around Naruto for balance and he held her at the waist, it still didn't keep her from losing balance a few times but Naruto was there to catch her. When they arrived at the gate there was a long uncomfortable silence and neither of them made eye contact. "Thanks N-Naruto." She spoke in a hushed tone. "It was no problem" she turned to leave but after a few steps stopped. "N-Naruto?" "Ya?" "Uuum… I've been worried since I s-saw you at the bar." "Why would you be worried?" "Because… I can't see your chakra…" Naruto stood there for a moment as if he wasn't sure what to say next. "It's a long story. Ide rather not talk about it right now." "Ok… W-well ill see you later." "See you Hinata." Naruto started to walk away down the street, Hinata's eyes followed him until he was out of site.

Naruto wasn't sure what to expect. He knew he wouldn't be able to hide things forever but he didn't expect this would come out so soon. How much longer could he keep this façade that nothing was different. So much had happened in the last few years, so many things he wished that he could change. But that is not how life worked. Most often there was no second chance.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden and unexpected kick to the side of the head knocking him into an ally. "I said I wasn't done with you. Remember?" the figure said, Naruto had instantly recognized the voice. "Anko you crazy bitch! What the hell?" "Hahaha! This is going to be fun." Naruto could tell that this wasn't about what had happen earlier, by the look in her eyes he saw this was just for fun.

A combination of the alcohol and the fact that she had been bothering him all day turned into something that he had not felt in a very long time. Pure rage. He moved faster then she thought was possible grabbing her by the throat and throwing her agents the wall. Her head cracked on impact and as he held her there he felt couldn't stop. Dazed from the impact he doubted that she even knew what was happening. All he would need to do is tighten his grip and her neck would snap. He was definitely strong enough to do it. She started to gasp for air his eyes seemed to light up as she clawed at his arms. "What am I doing?" He let go and she slumped to the ground.

He made his way back to his apartment and on sat on his couch. Moving to his bag he started to unpack his things. He uncovered a box of about 20cm by 10cm. As he opened it he took a second to stair at the contents. Dog tags almost filled it to the brim. He couldn't look away and a tear rolled down his face. He would never let that happen again.

…

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